Crete where to stay?

[Weareoutofwine]

Help! I'm looking to book our first family holiday overseas - since 2018. I'm out of practice at finding what we want/need.

We are a family of four - two children (4&8), looking for a hotel with a great children's club, and facilities to keep them happy and entertained (play area, children's pool slides maybe). Half board or all inclusive option would also be nice.

A good beach in walking distance, which is ideal for snorkeling and paddling/swimming. Not keen on lots of motorised waterworks. Hoping to go in May - but not sure if water will be that warm?

Ideally I'd like somewhere near Chania or Rythmnon or similar. In my head I'm picturing meandering through old venetian style streets or a typical Greek idyllic town. But all the hotels coming up in my search seems quite a way from Chania or Rhymnon. I'd love some suggestions on beautiful places to stay in Crete which cover all the above with the option of easily getting to/walking to a lovely village/town. I don't fancy hiring a car. Or do I need to compromise? Would love to hear recommendations and about recent trips - I'm totally overwhelmed searching through Jet2 and alike... help please!

Elounda has lots of really good quality accommodation. Great beaches and lots to see and do locally including Plaka and the leper island of Spinalonga. Deffo recommended

Thanks Hobbesmanc, just had a little Google of Elounda and it looks beautiful. Does the village have few tavernas and little shops? My DD would live the leper island - anything gory.

Elounda is really bustling. Lots of choices. Great evening scene. Plaka is quieter and the beach whilst stunning is more pebbly. The town of aghios nikolios is close with loads to do.

The leper island is a great trip. Obviously it's no longer a penal colony but the entire leper village is perfectly preserved.

Gouves water park

Another vote for Elounda, lovely place and lots to do nearby.

Stella palace is great for kids, private beach, water park, kids club, restaurants.

I've been to Elounda domes and wouldn't recommend it! It's a massive hike up to the restaurant/buffet and not much else in the daytime with out a queue! Beach is okay. There are tavernas out of it nice walk up to the local town. But I've been to better places in Turkey, bodrum. Better food and nicer hotels for the same price 😬

Thanks for the suggestion re Stella Palace and Gouves. Are they close to little towns/villages - did you find getting out and about easy without a car?

I've also looked at Lyttos beach/resort - which looks to have a tonne of facilities, but it doesn't look like it is close to anywhere. I can't tell if the beach is good for snorkeling either.

My partner suggested Turkey too - but I'm set on Greece - I spend a lot of time there 20 years ago - but I've no idea where to go now (I blame sleep deprivation and Covid)

Spent not spend!

Gouves is lovely. About a 10 minute walk away from gouves water park is the strip... lovely shops, supermarkets and restaurants.

The beach is 2 minute walk away. There's an aquarium close by and dinosauria park.
Everywhere on the island is easily accessible by bus or taxi.

We stayed near Heraklion. Hersonnisos. It was lovely.

Lindos is so pretty. And the beach is perfect. Not sure though I could enjoy the crowds in high season and that horrendous steep path. The buses down into the town are so crowded

Driving an automatic there is fine.

There’s a great looking new hotel called Euphoria, not far from Chania. We are looking at it for this year. Jet2 offer it. Loads on offer for kids there.